About this study

The California Voter Foundation (CVF) conducted a nationwide, state-by-state
survey on voter registration data and the privacy implications of data-gathering
and dissemination practices. CVF’s goals with this project are to better
inform public policy discussions about voter registration data and privacy,
to educate the public about how voter registration data is currently being
used, and to help develop policy solutions that address voter privacy in
the digital age.

The California Voter Foundation and a team of graduate and law students
from UC Berkeley researched the voter registration laws, forms, and data
dissemination practices of all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. Research
methods included: gathering and reviewing all state voter registration forms;
researching state registration laws and regulations; and conducting interviews
with election agency staff. The findings in this study are based on information
collected during the Spring of 2002 and account for the registration forms,
practices and laws as they existed at that time

Authors’ Note

The California Voter Foundation and the authors of this study are deeply
committed to improving voter participation. This study reveals many new findings
about voter registration data gathering and dissemination practices that
raise important questions and concerns about how to protect voter privacy
in the digital age. It is not our goal to be alarmist or deter people from
wanting to register to vote, but rather to be truthful with the public. Although
raising awareness of voter data practices may in fact facilitate even greater
access to voter data, it is our belief that the public’s interest is
best served in a democratic society by shining a light on an issue rather
than by keeping the public in the dark. We hope this study facilitates a
meaningful public discussion about the need to address new challenges to
voter privacy in the digital age.